Emma Purkis

About the Artist

Contact Information

Emma is an emerging artist, based in Mandjoogoordap (Mandurah) WA and will be the Youth Residency artist at Contemporary Art Space Mandurah during Peel open Studios.
In 2022 she graduated from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Creative Arts, majoring in Fine Art.

Themes of mental health, the body and femininity are prominent in her practice, which she explores through the medium of sculpture.

Emma enjoys creating contrasts between the subject matter and the materials she uses, with the intention of addressing serious and sometimes taboo subjects though more easily digestible visuals and spaces. She does this through use of colour, tactility and atmosphere in the gallery space.

Her sculptures are often anthropomorphic, and aim to represent elements of humanity while also harnessing abstract forms.

Emma is currently working on a project which explores the histories of mental health treatment, particularly mental health institutions in the western world and associated tales of hauntings. Through sketch studies, sculpting, and playing with form and space, she is interested in depicting how we view mental health in public space.

The artist wishes to emphasise the importance of effective mental health treatment while reflecting on her own personal experiences and connections.